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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A personal portable integrator is used to integrate the services
of an arbitrary audio delivery device such as an MP3, CD, DVD, radio,
or other media player, with the services of an arbitrary two-way
communication device such as a mobile phone, or a two-way radio
such as a walkie talkie, citizen band radio (e.g. CB), HAM radio,
marine or aviation radio, and the like. The portable integrator
receives and provides input and output signals from both the audio
delivery device and the two-way communication device, thereby enabling
a user to listen to music or other audio material and receive and
place phone calls on a mobile phone simultaneously. The portable
integrator provides these services by switching between the audio
and communication devices, mixing signals received therefrom, and
optionally enabling a user to reduce the volume or mute the signals
as desired.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A portable and wireless apparatus for wirelessly integrating
a two-way communication device and an audio delivery device, wherein
the portable and wireless apparatus is configured in size and shape
to be portably carried in either a hand of a user or an article
of clothing during use of the portable and wireless apparatus, the
portable and wireless apparatus comprising: means for wirelessly
receiving a first audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily
selectable audio delivery device; means for wirelessly receiving
a second audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable
two-way communication device; a coupling device independent from
the audio and two-way communication devices, wherein the second
audio signal is characterized by a threshold value, the second audio
signal is accorded priority relative to the first audio signal,
and the second audio signal interrupts the first audio signal upon
reaching the threshold value, the coupling device comprising said
means for receiving said first and second audio signals, said coupling
means further comprising: means for transmitting a third audio signal
comprising at least one of the first or second audio signals to
an acoustic device adapted to convert the third acoustic wave to
an audio range corresponding to a hearing range of a user.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means
for mixing the first and second audio signals into the third audio
signal and for enabling simultaneous use of said audio and two-way
communications devices.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising means
for selectably adjusting and controlling a mixing weight of the
first and second audio signals as part of the third audio signal.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
BACKGROUND
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to integrating electronic devices and, more
particularly, to novel systems and methods for integrating services
provided by personal music players and mobile phones.
2. The Background Art
The use of mobile telephones and other wireless communication devices
has increased dramatically in recent years. Likewise, electronic
music players, such as MP3, CD, DVD, and like players have proliferated.
Some companies have attempted to integrate music players and mobile
two-way communication devices into single devices. While integration
may reduce the number of devices a user is required to carry, a
user may unnecessarily discard devices that are still fully functional,
incurring unnecessary expense.
With respect to music players and mobile phones, various conflicts
may arise when attempting to operate independent devices simultaneously.
For example, users may listen to portable music players while exercising,
traveling, working, relaxing, and performing like activities. However,
users may desire to simultaneously place and receive phone calls,
activities that may be inherently difficult to perform while listening
to music or other audio material. For example, a user may be unable
to hear a phone ring while listening to music using headphones,
earphones, or the like. Moreover, if a user is able to accept a
call, the user may be required to remove headphones, reduce the
volume of or mute a music player, pick up a mobile phone handset,
or like actions, in order to accept or place a call. This may be
an excessively clumsy process.
What is needed is apparatus and methods for users to simultaneously
accept and place phone calls using a mobile phone or other two-communication
device while listening to music, or other audio material using an
independent audio delivery device.
What is further needed is apparatus and methods to integrate the
services of substantially any arbitrary two-way communication device
with substantially any arbitrary music or audio delivery device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus
and methods for integrating two-way communication devices with audio
delivery devices. An apparatus in accordance with the invention
may include a first electrical connector connected to receive a
first audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable audio
delivery device, such as an MP3, CD, DVD, radio, or other media
player. A second electrical connector may be connected to receive
a second audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable
two-way communication device, such as a mobile phone, or a two-way
radio such as a walkie talkie, citizen band radio (e.g. CB), HAM
radio, marine and aviation radio, and the like.
A coupling device independent from the audio and two-way communication
devices may be connected to receive the first and second audio signals.
A third audio signal comprising at least one of the first and second
audio signals may be transmitted from the coupling device to an
acoustic device, such as headphones, earphones, speakers, or the
like to convert the third audio signal to an acoustic wave having
an audio range corresponding to a hearing range of a user.
In certain embodiments, a switch may be connected to the apparatus
to enable a user to selectively switch between the first and second
audio signals to provide the third audio signal to the acoustic
device. In other embodiments, a mixer may be connected to the apparatus
to mix the first and second audio signals to create the third audio
signal.
In selected embodiments, the apparatus may include a microphone
connected to transmit a voice signal of a user to the two-way communication
device. Thus, the two-way communication device may be located away
from the face of the user. The apparatus may also include a volume
controller connected to selectively control the volume of at least
one of the first and second audio signals. In certain embodiments,
the volume controller may control the first audio signal (e.g. the
audio signal originating from the audio delivery device) so that
a user may selectively raise or lower the volume of the music or
other media while receiving or placing a call.
In selected embodiments, the apparatus may employ electrical wiring
to route the audio signals and the voice signal to and from the
coupling device. A switch, selectively operable by a user, may be
used to connect at least two of the second audio signal wire, the
voice signal wire, and a ground wire, to activate a function of
the two-way communication device. For example, if the two-way communication
device is a mobile phone, the switch may be used to trigger a function
of the mobile phone such as a mute command, a call connect command,
a call disconnect command, voice-activated dialing, a command to
call the last number dialed, and the like.
The coupling device may contain any or all of the hardware previously
described including but not limited to the microphone, the switches,
the mixer, and the volume controller. In selected embodiments, the
audio signal from the two-way communication device may be characterized
by a threshold value. The second audio signal may be accorded priority
relative to the first audio signal originating from the audio delivery
device. Thus, the second audio signal may interrupt the first audio
signal upon reaching the threshold value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present invention will become more
fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings
depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore,
not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be
described with additional specificity and detail through use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a personal portable
integrator usable with a music player and a mobile phone;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of a personal portable
integrator having a device-specific link to a two-way communication
device;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment
of connectors that may be used to adapt the invention to a wide
variety of devices;
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an adapter
that may be used to interface to a specific device;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of components
contained within a coupling device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment
of components contained within a coupling device in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another alternative embodiment
of components contained within a coupling device in accordance with
the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a personal
portable integrator usable with a music player and a mobile phone
using wireless technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It will be readily understood that the components of the present
invention, as generally described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 through
8 herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the description herein is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of
certain presently preferred embodiments of devices and systems in
accordance with the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will, of course, appreciate that various modifications to the details
herein may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics
of the invention, as described. Thus, the following information
is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain
presently preferred embodiments consistent with the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a portable integrator 10 for use with a two-communication
device 18, such as a mobile phone 18, and an audio delivery device
16, such as a portable MP3 player or CD player, may include electrical
connectors 12, 14 to interface with the devices 16, 18. The electrical
connectors 12, 14 may vary according to the device. For example,
an audio device 16 may require a jack 12 having specific dimensions
and with a specified number of contact points. Likewise, a connector
14 may connect to a particular communication device 18. The connectors
12, 14 may be modified as needed to adapt to other devices 16, 18.
The connectors 12, 14 may be adapted to receive and provide signals
13, 15, 17 from the devices 16, 18. For example, the connector 12
may simply receive an audio signal 13 from the audio device 16.
The signal 13 may be a monophonic, stereophonic, or like representation
of an audio signal 13. Likewise, the connector 14 may receive an
audio signal 15 from the communication device 18. In addition, the
connector 14 may provide a voice signal 17, or other input signal
17, to the communication device 18 from a user thereof or other
outside source.
Sheathed flexible wires 20, 22 or other transmission means such
as optical fibers 20,22, or wireless technology such as Bluetooth
may be used to carry the signals 13, 15, 17 to and from the devices
16, 18. In certain embodiments, a reinforcement member 24 may be
used to provide strength at a junction point 24 of the lines 20,
22. The reinforcement member 24 may also be used to form a transition
point 24 where wires 20, 22 may be bundled together beneath a single
protective sheathing 26.
A coupling device 28 may receive and transmit the signals 13, 15,
17 through the path 26. The coupling device 28 may act as a controller
28 or hub 28 to route the signals 13, 15, 17 to an acoustic device
30, 32, such as headphones 30, 32, earphones 30, 32, speakers 30,
32, or the like. The coupling device 28 may also contain a microphone
29, thus providing a hands free set 29, 30, 32, usable with a mobile
phone 18. A pair of wires 34, 36 or other communication paths 34,
36 may connect the coupling device 28 to the acoustic device 30,
32.
Referring to FIG. 2, as was previously mentioned, devices 16, 18,
such as mobile phones 18, may not use a standardized jack 12, 14.
However, it may be undesirable to provide a separate integrator
device 10 for each variation of devices 12, 14 that may be available.
Therefore, in certain embodiments, a portion 38 of the portable
integrator 10 may be provided as a universal component 38 while
another portion 40 may serve as a device-specific component 40.
For example, audio devices 16 may use a standardized connector 12
or jack 12.
Therefore, a universal component 38 may adapt to the vast majority
of audio devices 16 that may be available. Conversely, many two-way
communication devices 18, such as mobile phones 18 may not have
standardized connections 14. Therefore, device-specific components
40 may be provided having a standard connection 42 that may interface
with the universal component 38, while another adapter 14 or connector
14 may be specific to the device 18.
In cases where devices 18 may have a varying number of inputs 17
and outputs 15, dead pins, wires (communication paths), and the
like may by used as needed to increase or decrease the number of
inputs 15 or outputs 17 according to specific devices 18. In addition,
a user may only desire to use a single device 16 for a given period
of time and may wish to remove the portion 40 until it is needed.
Referring to FIG. 3, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS.
1 and 2, adaptability of the integrator device 10 may be provided
in various ways. For example, in certain embodiments, the integrator
device 10 may include an adapter 44 that may provide an interface
44 to each of the devices 12, 18, 28. In selected embodiments, a
connection 20 to an audio device 16 may be swapped with another
connection 20 fitted for another device 16, a connection 22 to a
communication device 18 may be swapped with another connection 22
fitted for another communication device 18, a coupling device 28
and an acoustic device 30,32 may be swapped with other devices 28,
30, 32, and the like. As was previously mentioned, certain portions
26,20, 22 may be added or deleted as needed by the user. The adapter
44 may use a variety of connectors 42, 46, 48 to connect to the
adapter 44. In certain embodiments, the adapter 44 may wirelessly
communicate with each of the devices 16,18 using a wireless technology,
thereby acting as a wireless communication hub 44.
Referring to FIG. 4, in selected embodiments, adapters 50 may be
provided in accordance with the invention to adapt a portable integrator
10 to specific devices 18. For example, an adapter 50 may include
an interface 52 for interfacing with a connector 14. Likewise, the
adapter 50 may include another interface 54 that may connect directly
to a device 18 at an input 56. In addition, other features may be
built into the adapter 50 such as impedance matching, signal amplification,
and the like.
Referring to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments, the coupling device
28 may include a switch 58 to selectively enable a user to connect
one of the signals 13, 15 through to the output 60. For example,
a user may listen to an audio recording or live transmission from
an audio device 16 with the switch 58 in a first position 62. If
the user receives or desires to place a call, the switch 58 may
be changed to a second position 64 to connect the communication
device 18 through to the output 60. The switch 58 may include a
button 63 or like mechanism 63 to enable a user operation thereof.
Thus, the signal 13 from the audio device 16 may be conveniently
and selectively disconnected while the user operates the communication
device 18. In this way, simple operation of a switch 58 may enable
a user to operate an audio delivery device 16 and a communication
device 18 through a single acoustic device 30, 32.
The coupling device 28 may also include a microphone 29 to transmit
a voice or other audio signal 17 back to the communication device
18. The coupling device 28 may contain one or several apertures
to permit an acoustic wave to directly enter and drive the microphone
29. In certain embodiments, the coupling device 28 may be located,
such as by clipping, proximate the face of a user so that the switch
58, microphone 29, and other controls located therein, may be easily
accessed and used by a user. Likewise, the communication device
18 and audio device 16 may be located away from the user's face,
clipped along a belt line, in a pocket, in a bag, or the like.
Referring to FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, the coupling device
28 may include a mixer 66 to mix the audio signals 13, 15 originating
from the audio and communication devices 16,18. Thus, the audio
signals 13, 15 may be heard simultaneously by a user through an
acoustic device 30, 32. In certain instances, a ring or other sound
may indicate a call is being received by the communication device
18 and may by audible over the sound of the music or other media
through the acoustic device 30, 32. In this case, the audio signal
13 from the audio device 16 may be muted or disconnected by a user
with a switch 58 while the user receives or places a call. Once
the call is finished, the user may once again trigger the switch
to begin listening to music or other audible media. Thus, a user
may simultaneously hear and monitor both devices 16, 18 through
a single acoustic device 30, 32 and may mute or disconnect at least
one of the devices 16, 18 when needed.
In certain embodiments, the coupling device 28 may also include
a switch 68 or other control device 68 to control features of the
communication device 18, the audio device 16, or a combination thereof.
For example, a switch 68 may connect inputs 17 or outputs 15 of
the communication device 18 together, connect them to a ground 70,
provide control signals to the device 18, or the like, to control
features of the communication device 18. For example, a switch 68
or control device 68 may control features of the communication device
18 such as performing a mute command, a call connect command, a
call disconnect command, voice-activated dialing, a command to call
the last number dialed, or like features. The features activated
may vary from device 18 to device 18 and may depend on the device
engineering and configuration.
Referring to FIG. 7, in selected embodiments, the coupling device
28 may include a volume controller 72 to control the volume of at
least one of the audio signals 13, 15 from the audio device 16 and
the communication device 18. For example, as in the previous example,
a mixer 66 may provide that audio signals 13, 15 be heard simultaneously
by a user through an acoustic device 30, 32. When a call is received
or placed on the communication device 18, a user may adjust the
volume of the audio signal 13 using the volume controller 72. If
desired, the user may adjust the volume such that music or audio
material is still heard in the background while receiving or placing
a call. Once a call is finished, a user may readjust the volume
to a desired level. Thus, a user may simultaneously hear and monitor
both devices through a single acoustic device 30, 32, and may adjust
the volume of at least one of the devices 16, 18 when desired.
Referring to FIG. 8, in certain embodiments, a coupling device
28 may be divided into a pair of components 28a, 28b that wirelessly
communicate with one another using a technology such us Bluetooth.
For example, a first component 28a may include a transceiver 76
receptive to the signals 13, 15, 17 from the audio and communication
devices 16, 18. The transceiver 76 may convert these signals to
wirelessly transmittable frequencies 80 using an appropriate wireless
protocol such that they may be transmitted to a peer transceiver
78. The transceiver 78 may then convert the frequencies 80 back
to signals 13, 15, 17, where they may be processed by the coupling
device 28b in accordance with a process like those described in
FIGS. 5 through 7.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the wireless
technology described in FIG. 8 may be used in a wide variety of
different configurations and the example presented herein is not
intended to limit the scope or the invention. For example, in certain
embodiments, portions or all of the circuitry 29, 66, 72 or components
29, 66, 72 may be located in the housing 28a. In other embodiments,
each of the devices 16, 18, may communicate wirelessly with the
coupling device 28, 28a or 28b.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described
embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative,
and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated
by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description.
All changes within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims
are to be embraced within their scope. |